k12 Digest

MAY 19, 2025

In fact, one such study demonstrated that students who were taught in classroom environments which employed strategies aligned to research such as productive struggle, discourse, movement and problem solving scored significantly higher on post-tests recalling and applying previous learning than the control group.

Science 246

Science Education Motivation Lecturing 246

eSchool News

DECEMBER 31, 2024

Key points: Digital literacy is a key skill–but it remains a challenge for U.S. students Enhancing media literacy skills in the age of AI 5 strategies to close the critical thinking gap For more news on durable skills, visit eSN’s Innovative Teaching hub U.S.

Skills 281

Skills Grades Internet Participation 281

eSchool News

JUNE 11, 2025

When I think back to the impact of World Book , my first memories aren’t from the classroom, but from my grandmother’s living room. In today’s world, where misinformation is rampant and digital literacy is more important than ever, students must also develop the critical thinking skills to evaluate sources and identify truth.

Language 211

Language Languages English Math 211

eSchool News

JUNE 17, 2025

Next, test some small changes Key Action: Pilot changes and gather feedback from students and educators A current partner school that is focusing on cell phone policies this school year is taking a deliberately slow approach to developing a policy. Our Listening In Protocols offer helpful ways to solicit authentic opinions from students.

Schools 191

Schools Students Feedback Participation 191

Catlin Tucker

APRIL 22, 2025

When state testing season arrives, classroom routines can quickly fall apart. In this blog, I’ll share six strategies that encourage students to explore, create, reflect, and connecteven during the testing season. Each column in the choice board can focus on a specific concept, skill, or vocabulary term.

Testing 195

Testing Learning Critical Thinking Essay 195

Edsurge

MAY 21, 2019

Computational thinking is one of the biggest buzzwords in education—It’s even been called the ‘5th C’ of 21st century skills. There’s sort of an efficiency there in encouraging this sort of critical thinking across disciplines,” Oltman says. We went to test the prediction and they noticed the exact opposite was true.”

Critical Thinking 168

Critical Thinking Social Studies English Art 168

eSchool News

APRIL 23, 2025

In todays technology-rich classrooms, digital literacy is becoming a foundational skill–students are learning to navigate devices, use educational software, and collaborate online. Every test score, attendance log, learning app, or digital assignment generates data. It is essential. The same goes for students.

Ethics 305

Ethics Education Culture Social Studies 305

eSchool News

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Passive learning, on the other hand, means students passively receive information–for example, students might use a Chromebook to take a test or submit assignments in a learning management system.

Activities 320

Activities Middle School Middle School Critical Thinking 320

eSchool News

JUNE 26, 2024

STEM is incredibly important, specifically for skills like critical thinking and problem solving,” said Dr. Erika Neuman, CEO of iSTEMmentors and a lecturer at the University of Texas at San Antonio, during an ISTELive 24 session. Test your design or prototype 6. Ask a question 2.

STEM 314

STEM Interdisciplinary Critical Thinking Lecturing 314

eSchool News

JANUARY 22, 2025

With infinite information at their fingertips, how do we equip this new type of student with the skills to interpret, problem solve, and think critically about the information they encounter when we are not always the ones delivering it to them? How do I use design thinking?

Failure 309

Failure Critical Thinking Essay Feedback 309

Edsurge

NOVEMBER 20, 2024

While mastering technical skills is essential, students must also develop soft skills like communication, collaboration and critical thinking to thrive beyond the classroom. Patrick Keeney Senior Director of Product Management and Partnerships for CTE, McGraw Hill School EdSurge: How do you define soft skills?

Skills 202

Skills Middle School Middle School Communication 202

eSchool News

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

This “cookbook recipe” teaching style not only stifles creativity, but it can also hinder critical thinking skill development. They had to find the parameters for those conditions and test out various scenarios. It helps students develop motor skills. It gets students thinking about future career paths.

Science 324

Science Critical Thinking STEM Textbooks 324

Catlin Tucker

NOVEMBER 18, 2021

A study guide is unlikely to inspire much interest in students, and a single game does not provide enough repeat exposure to vocabulary, concepts, or skills. The person generating the study guide and review game is the one doing the critical thinking. Student-created Kahoot! Teachers who love Kahoot!

Blended Learning 522

Blended Learning Students Exams Study 522

eSchool News

JULY 1, 2021

Learning does not just mean facts and content but includes a broad range of skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, and effective written communication, as well as social and emotional well-being. . These are the skills in high demand by employers and higher education institutions.

Critical Thinking 258

Critical Thinking Exams Communication Students 258

eSchool News

APRIL 8, 2025

Despite this demand, many students lack the foundational interest or skills needed to pursue these opportunities. In Volusia County, Florida, Volusia County School students navigate wetlands, test water quality, and track environmental shifts using Vernier technology. Builds critical thinking and teamwork skills.

STEM 315

STEM Learning Science Critical Thinking 315

Catlin Tucker

APRIL 10, 2023

Spend less time preparing for tests! It is also a cognitively challenging task since it requires thinking about the key concepts in a unit or learning cycle and producing a collection of questions to guide students in recalling information and developing a deeper understanding of the material.

Teachers 489

Teachers Exams Feedback Students 489

eSchool News

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

Key points: Crafts can help students develop skills needed to succeed in the 21st century 4 key findings on student engagement More gifted students need accelerated paths For more on deeper learning, visit eSN’s Innovative Teaching hub Who doesn’t love arts and crafts? Still, classroom crafts have the potential to be something much greater.

Evaluation 281

Evaluation Critical Thinking Learning Knowledge 281

Ask a Tech Teacher

JULY 15, 2024

Improved hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, essential for cognitive development. Enhanced creativity and critical thinking : The slower pace of handwriting allows for more time to think and formulate ideas, fostering creativity and critical thinking.

Skills 174

Skills Cognitive Development Critical Thinking Writing 174

eSchool News

FEBRUARY 14, 2025

Heres how For more news on science engagement, visit eSN’s STEM & STEAM hub More than half of science teachers believe the most important value of science education is how it contributes to students curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity, according to a new report from LEGO Education.

Science 316

Science Education STEM Critical Thinking 316

eSchool News

APRIL 26, 2023

Inquiry-based learning focuses on developing critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and creativity. Due to the nature of inquiry, students in inquiry-based classrooms become independent learners who are able to think for themselves while testing and verifying the answers to their own questions.

Learning 343

Learning Schools Critical Thinking Intelligence 343

eSchool News

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

The traditional methods of testing and evaluation must evolve to accommodate the capabilities of AI. Demonstrating learning needs to move from testing memorization to showcasing transferable skills. This shift has the potential to make assessments more engaging and more reflective of real-world skills and knowledge application.

Metacognitive Skills 340

Metacognitive Skills Ethics Critical Thinking Evaluation 340

eSchool News

OCTOBER 25, 2016

As a teacher, I love when my students ask questions, but the one that used to break my heart was, “Will this be on the test?”. All that I design and teach is built upon a cross-curricular base to infuse the learning experience with critical thinking—and all the motivation and personal engagement that it demands and affords.

Critical Thinking 280

Critical Thinking History Motivation Skills 280

eSchool News

MARCH 17, 2023

Instead, the study reported, today’s parents would like to see their children develop practical skills “for both life and career” (p. 10), critical thinking skills that allow them “to problem solve and make decisions” (p. 8), and moral character traits such as “honesty, kindness, integrity, [and] ethics” (p.

Critical Thinking 296

Critical Thinking Education Ethics Disabilities 296

eSchool News

OCTOBER 27, 2022

The company has gathered all the complexities of internet safety and distilled them into engaging, well-tested, curriculum-aligned, and beautifully structured lesson plans (created by teachers) for grades K–8. Cyber Legends provides engaging, well-tested, curriculum-aligned, and beautifully structured lessons, masked as a fun video game.

Mobile Devices 322

Mobile Devices Critical Thinking Game-Based Learning Curriculum 322

eSchool News

APRIL 5, 2024

Let’s explore how these strategies promote engagement, critical thinking, and deeper understanding among students, enhancing academic success. Active learning strategies for students in K-12 encompass a range of techniques designed to promote engagement, critical thinking, and deeper understanding.

Activities 256

Activities Critical Thinking Active Learning Lecturing 256

eSchool News

JULY 15, 2022

Study after study has shown that effective library programs can increase student literacy and test scores and create more equitable student outcomes. Having access to the skills needed to decode text and other media impacts our students now and forever.

Schools 361

Schools Students Elementary School Elementary School 361

Catlin Tucker

DECEMBER 12, 2023

Competence: Students may not feel confident in their writing skills generally or their ability to answer a particular question specifically. Family members might not be fluent in the language of the writing assignments, or they may lack the necessary writing skills to assist their students effectively. Pre-order Available!

Assignments 457

Assignments Writing Feedback Motivation 457

eSchool News

MAY 2, 2025

As schools, districts, and policymakers grapple with the realities of a rapidly evolving workforce that requires discipline-specific knowledge, high-tech know-how, and hands-on skills, there is a growing recognition that the traditional approaches to preparing students for the real world no longer suffice.

Education 172

Education STEM Knowledge Skills 172

eSchool News

FEBRUARY 7, 2023

MindLabs by Explore Interactive brings state-of-the-art technology that, combined with award-winning EiE curricula, will provide teachers with standards-aligned, engaging activities to help students build skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, engineering design, and team collaboration — all skills required for jobs in the 21st century.

Curriculum 260

Curriculum Critical Thinking STEM Science 260

eSchool News

JANUARY 23, 2023

Some have limited application and require lower levels of critical thinking; others are foundational to future learning and broadly applicable. Once you’ve identified the standards you feel are most important for your students’ long-term success, it’s time to explore new ways of assessing these skills. 3 Strikes, You’re In!:

Metacognitive Skills 303

Metacognitive Skills Critical Thinking Fairness Testing 303

Edsurge

JANUARY 21, 2019

According to a new LinkedIn analysis of member profiles, creativity tops the chart of soft skills that employers are looking for. A skill is loosely defined as the ability to do something well. Skills can also be taught, improved, measured and defined—and be done with some consistency and reliability. Is creativity a skill?

Skills 168

Skills Art Critical Thinking Writing 168

Edsurge

FEBRUARY 12, 2019

In an era consumed with teaching 21st-century soft skills, are games any good at building critical thinking or collaboration skills? I never want to make claims that games writ-large for any kid—under any circumstances—teach these sort of skills.” The takeaway?

Skills 168

Skills Critical Thinking Game-Based Learning Failure 168

Catlin Tucker

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023

It is a process where students evaluate their work, reflecting on what they’ve learned, how well they’ve understood complex concepts, how much progress they’ve made toward mastering key skills, and where they may need to invest time and energy to improve their concept knowledge and skill set.

Evaluation 428

Evaluation Assignments Failure Discussions 428

eSchool News

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

An integrated STEAM education also puts students on the path to success with higher test scores, stronger attendance records, better disciplinary records, and increased engagement and graduation rates. School makerspaces have emerged as centers of creativity, problem solving, collaboration, and more. You can’t have one without the other.

STEM 327

STEM Education Art Laboratory 327

eSchool News

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Plus, when they make mistakes, they’re motivated to try new approaches to test theories. This process reinforces scientific inquiry and builds critical thinking skills as students see, touch, and analyze real results from their experiments.

Middle School 334

Middle School Middle School STEM Interdisciplinary 334

eSchool News

JANUARY 19, 2017

My teaching experience has taught me that it is no longer possible to prepare students with the 21st century skills they will need for the workforce without moving away from this paint-by-numbers approach. Students today are accustomed to tests where the questions only have one right answer.

Teaching 275

Teaching Students Testing Critical Thinking 275

eSchool News

APRIL 19, 2018

results from standardized tests, school rankings, and percentiles), they often neglect the process. As it stands, students are continuously monitored and measured via state-issued tests and assessments that focus on how well they can repeat information verbatim.

Lecturing 277

Lecturing Critical Thinking Testing Feedback 277